Alex Sink to run for Rep. Young's House seat

Alex Sink, the state's former chief financial officer, announced Wednesday she will mount a campaign to succeed the late Republican Rep. Bill Young, Florida's longest-serving member of Congress who died earlier this month.

In this Oct. 8, 2010 file photo, Alex Sink, speaks during a gubernatorial debate in Miami. Sink announced Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2-13 that she will move to Pinellas County and run for the congressional seat that had been held by U.S. Rep. Bill Young. Young died earlier this month. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter, File)

In a statement, the Democrat said she was responding to "a deep frustration with the dysfunctional and reckless politics of Washington that was responsible for the painful, irresponsible shutdown of our nation's government." She painted herself as a bipartisan problem solver, citing her term as the state's CFO and her experience running Bank of America's Florida operations.

"I never let politics, finger-pointing or name-calling stand in the way of getting results for the people I represent, and it's these results-oriented values that I want to bring to Washington," she said in a statement. "For the sake of our economy, our businesses and our families, we have to restore problem-solving leadership."

While election officials have yet to set a date for the special election, the race is being watched closely as a potential bellwether of the national mood heading into the 2014 midterm elections. The Pinellas County seat is located in a swing-voting district that President Barack Obama carried in 2008 and 2012. President George W. Bush won the district in 2004.

For Democrats, Sink brings wide name recognition. She was the party's gubernatorial nominee in 2010, losing narrowly to Rick Scott. She had been mulling another campaign for the governor's office but decided against a run last month. On Wednesday, Sink said she would move into the 13th Congressional District from her east Hillsborough home.

Republicans in Florida and Washington criticized Sink's record as Florida's chief financial officer, tying her to the state's sour economy and increasing debt during the recession.

Sink will face at least one Democratic challenger. Jessica Ehrlich, who lost to Young last year, had already declared her candidacy for 2014 months ago. As of July, she had raised nearly $154,000.

It's unclear who will run for the Republican nomination. Young's son, Bill Young II, has expressed interest in the past in running for office.

EARLIER -- Former Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink is going to run for Congress in a special election.

Alex Sink (AP photo)

Sink announced Wednesday that she will move to Pinellas County and run for the seat that had been held by U.S. Rep. Bill Young. Young died earlier this month.

Sink was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2010 and narrowly lost the election to Rick Scott. In September Sink said she would not challenge Scott next year.

In a statement Sink said she said she was responding to a "deep frustration with the dysfunctional and reckless politics of Washington" among Pinellas County residents.

Young was a Republican, but his district is viewed as a pick-up opportunity for Democrats.

Democrat Jessica Ehrlich, who lost to Young last year, had already declared her candidacy for 2014.

Last modified: October 30, 2013
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